Cutter mechanism for fabric or sheet material



May 28, 1968 J. H. JOHNSON 3,385,149

CUTTER MECHANISM FOR FABRIC OR SHEET MATERIAL May 28, 1968 J. H. JOHNSON 3,385,149

CUTTER MECHANISM FOR FABRIC OR SHEET MATERIAL 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Feb. 8, 1966 n INVENTOR.

Sgl -./0sEPH H. JOHNSON United States Patent O 3,335,149 CUTTER lvlECHANlSR/I FR FABRIC GR SHEET MATERHAL Joseph H. Johnson, Memphis, rifenn., assigner to National Manufacturing Company, inc., Memphis, rferm. Filed Feb. 3, 1966, Ser. No. 525,995 6 Claims. (Cl. 83--175) ABSTRACT Old THE DISCLSURE A cutter mechanism for fabric or thin llexible sheet material is disclosed which is adapted for use in cutting or severing sheet material along a rectilinear cut. The cutter mechanism includes an elongated platen member over which the sheet of material to be cut is adapted to be place-d and a pivotally mounted clamping rail means adapted to be pivoted into a position to clamp the sheet of material. The platen 4member has perpendicularly arranged primary and secondary surfaces and the clamping member has corresponding perpendicularly arranged primary and secondary clamping surfaces so that when the sheet material is clamped, the bight thereof Will b3 disposed in a substantially U-shape along the top, bottom and end surfaces of the platen member. A carriage having a sharp-edge blade fixed thereto is movabiy secured on a pair of spaced runners to guide the carriage back and forth during the cutting of the sheet material.

This invention relates to flexible sheet material cutting devices generally and particularly relates to a mechanism for use in cutting or severing sheet material along a rectilinear cut. The device is particularly directed toward a mechanism for transversely cutting rolled web material such as sheet plastic Wall covering, upholstery material or the lille.

An object of the present invention is to provide a cutter device of substantially simple design which does not include intricate or complicated parts to malfunction.

A further object is to provide a sheet material cutter which requires only negligible skill to use prociently.

A further object is to provide a cutter mechanism including means for clamping and holding the material firmly while the cut is being made for forming an accurate straight edge cut.

A further object is to provide in the cutting mechanism, means for holding the cut edges of the material after the cut is made.

A further object is to provide a cutter mechanism having resilient clamp and material holding `means which automatically compensates for various thicknesses of mr.- terial.

A further object is generally to improve the design and construction of sheet material cutting mechanisms.

The means by which the foregoing and other objects of the present invention are accomplished and the manner of their accomplishment Will be readily understood from the following specication upon reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. l is a front view of the cutter device illustrated in an Open and dormant disposition and with the device illustrated in conjunction with a roll of sheet material and rack means (fragmentarily shown) for supporting and dispensing the roll of material.

FIG. 2 is a transverse sectional View taken as on the line ll-li of FiG. 1.

Frice FIG. 3 is a fragmentary longitudinal sectional View taken as on the line III-lll of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the blade carriage means with associated parts fragmentarily shown.

FG. 5 is a transverse sectional View taken as on the line V--V of FlG. 4 and additionally illustrating a piece of material being clamped and cut by the device.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line Vl-VI of llG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary sectional view taken as on the line Vil- VH of FIG. 5.

Referring now to the drawings in which the various parts are indicated by numerals, the cutter device of the present invention, indicated by numeral 11, is adapted to be used in several environments or applications wherein substantially thin sheet plastic or fabric material is to be cut or processed. The preferred or intended application of the device, however, is in conjunction with a support rack which rotatably supports and ydispenses rolled web or sheet material. Cutter mechanism 11 will thus be described in conjunction with a support rack, fragmentariiy illustrated and indicated 13, and a roll of web material indicated 15.

Support rack 13 typically includes a relatively fixed pair of tubular post members 17 and a spindle member 19 removably supported between post members 17 and turnably supporting roll of sheet material 15.

Cutter device 11 includes basically first and second rail means 21, 23 respectively and cutter blade carriage means 25 movably mounted on and translationally displaceable along second rail means 23. First and second rail means Z1, 23 are pivotally secured together and are adapted to clamp the web material as it is being cut.

First rail means 21 includes a platen member 27 preferably in the form of a long rail-like longitudinally uniform Structure. Platen member 27 is substantially rectangular cross-seetioned, hollow, and of uniform wall thickness (see FIGS. l and 2). Platen member 27 is of closed rectangular sectioned form except for a longitudinally extending slot 29. A pair of threaded fasteners 31 extending respectively through the longitudinal base portion 33 of platen member 27 and through the respective post members 17 of support racl; 13 fixedly mount the cutter device on the support rack.

End members 39, d1 are perpendicularly secured respectively to the opposite end portions of platen member 27 and pair of clamp members 40. Pivot pins 43 extending respectively through the distal end portions of end members 39, il pivotally secure the lirst and second rail means or the platen and clamp members 27, 40 together. Each end member 41, in addition to providing a part of the pivot means for pivotally connecting the platen and clamp members 27, 4t) also provides support structure for tixedly securing pair of clamp members di) in a parallel and confrontirfgly arranged configuration. The proximal portion of each end member cd1 is recessed or formed to receive and lixedly hold the respective clamp members 4i? in parallel spaced relationship (see FlG. 2). Flush-headed screw fasteners 47 xedly secure clamp members 4t* to the respective end members 41.

A slotted aperture 49 is formed by the parallel spaced arrangement of clamp members di?. The width of slotted aperture 49 corresponds or is substantially commensurate with the Width of slot 29 of platen member 2.7. Each end member 39 is substantially-plate-like and includes a block-like protection 51 projecting from the inward surface 53 of each end member 39. Block-like projection 51 of each end member 39 snugly fits in a respective end portion of platen member 27. Screw fasteners 55 extending respectively through the oppostely-disposed end portions of platen member 27 and .threaded into projections 51 perpendicularly fixedly secure end members 39 to the oppostely disposed end portions of the platen member. The relative pivotal arrangement of first and second rail means 21, 23 is such `that when cutter mechanism 11 is in a closed disposition, clamp members 40 and platen member 27 arc in correspondingly mated engagement (see FIGS. 4, 5 and 7).

Platen member 27 includes a parallel pair of oppostely arranged longitudinally extending primary portions 57 defining a pair of oppositely facing longitudinally extending planar platen primary surfaces 59. Platen member 27 also includes a parallel pair of longitudinally extending secondary portions 61 substantially defining slot 29 and defining a pair of co-planar arranged planar platen secondary surfaces 63. Each clamp member 49 of the pair of clamp members forming second rail means 23 includes right angularly arranged longitudinally extending primary and secondary portions 65, 67 defining respectively a pair of right angularly arranged longitudinally extending primary and secondary planar clamp surfaces 69, 71.

When cutter device 11 is in a closed configuration as illustrated in FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, the respective primary and secondary surfaces of the first and second rail means or the primary and secondary surfaces `respectively of platen member 27 and pair of clamp members 49 are contiguously arranged and slot 29 and slotted aperture 49 are in juxtapositioned alignment. It will be understood that in certain applications it may be desirable that pair Vof clamp members 40 may be formed from a single channel sectioned member and in such form would be provided with a slot formed in the channel member functionally corresponding to slotted aperture 49. Should a single channelshaped clamp member be utilized in lieu of a pair of clamp members, proximal portion 45 of each end member 41 would then not serve as support means for tixedly securing pair of clamp members 4t) in parallel spaced relationship.

Rail means 23 of cutter mechanism 11 includes a pair of pad -members 73 preferably formed of polyurethane resilient plastic material or open cell rubber material. Each pad member 73 is longitudinally uniform, strap-like and provided with oppostely facing planar surfaces. The back surface 75 of each of pad members 73 is adhesively secured to surface 69 of each clamp member primary por-tion 65; suitable adhesive means firmly secures each pad member 73 substantially along the entire length of each clamp member 40 of second rail means 23. Pad members 73 resiliently clamp the sheet material when first and second rail means 21, 23 and cutter device 11 is in a closed configuration (see FIG. 5). The resiliency of pad member 73 compensates for thickness variations in the sheet material being cut or processed. It will be understood that in certain embodiments of the present invention, it may be desirable not to include pad members 73 in the cutter mechanism structure. In such a construction the sheet material would then be clamped directly rbetween primary portions 57, 65 of first and second rail means platen and clamp members.

Blade carriage means includes a carriage 77, a material cutting blade 79 and guide means movably securing carriage 77 on second rail means 23. Carriage 77 is somewhat block-like and formed of semi-rigid plastic material. The carriage provides support means for blade 79 and provides handle means for manually moving the carriage back and forth along the first and second rail means of the cutter device. Carriage 77 preferably includes two carriage half-parts 81 and a parallel pair of threaded fasteners 83 separably securing carriage halfparts 81 together (see FIGS. 4-7). Blade 79 is thin, fiat and bayonet-shaped and is removably secured between carriage half-parts 81. Cutting blade 79 is secured with the double-edge pointed portion projecting perpendicularly from the inward side of the carriage. The guide means of blade carriage means 25 includes a parallel spaced pair of rod-like runners 87 and co-acting semi-cylindrical runner portions 89. Each runner 87 is integrally formed of and extends longitudinally along the entire length of each clamp member of pair of clamp members 40. The respective semi-cylindrical runner portions 89 on each side of carriage half-parts 81 are arranged in axial alignment and are snugly but freely fitted around the respective runners 87. The semi-resilient plastic material of which semi-cylindrical runner portions 89 are formed permits the ready removal of carriage 77 from runners 87; carriage 77 may be readily separated from runners 87 by forcibly urging the carriage outwardly away from the runners thereby spreading the respective runner portions 89 of the carriage sufficiently to clear the cylindrical diameter of the respective runners 87. To install or re-attach carriage 77 to runners 87, the user has only to press the carriage against the runners and thereby to cause the semi-cylindrical runner portions 89 to spread and snap around the respective runners 87. When carriage 77 is attached or operatively secured to second rail means 23, the doubleedged pointed portion 85 of blade 79 projects through slotted aperture 49 of the second rail means. Carriage 77 is freely displaceable along second rail means 23 and the oppostely arranged sharpened edges of cutting blade 79 is adapted to cut the sheet material when the carriage is optionally moved in either direction.

In using cutter mechanism 11, the following substantially simple procedure is carried out:

With the cutter mechanism in an open disposition as illustrated in FIG. 1, the web of sheet material is unrolled from roll 15 and end pontion 91 of the material is pulled upwardly over platen member 27, and between the platen and clamp members of the device; a desired length of the web material is pulled over the top of platen member 2.7 or first rail means 21 and second rail means 23 is pivotally moved to a closed disposition. The sheet material is thus clamped between the first and second rail means and the device is arranged as illustrated in FIG. 5 with the sheet material stretched across correspondingly aligned slot 29 and slotted aperture 49. Blade carriage 77 is then moved longitudinally along the length of the first and second rail means and the blade transversely severs the web material. Second rail means 23 is then pivotally moved outwardly away from first rail means 21 and the severed edge portions of the material is freed from the device.

The cutter device of the present invention is of substantially simple and sturdy design. It is easy to use and does not include complicated or intricate parts to malfunction. The device holds the material rmly as the cut is being made and an accurate straight edge cut is provided. The resilient pad clamping means of the device permits the device to readily compensate for various thicknesses of material.

Although the present invention has been described with reference to a preferred embodiment thereof, it is to be understood that it is not to be so limited since changes and modifications may Ibe made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as hereinafter claimed.

I claim:

1. A cutter mechanism for fabric or thin flexible sheet material comprising first rail means having a pair of substantially planar parallel oppostely facing longitudinally extending planar platen primary surfaces and including structure defining a slot extending parallel with and disposed substantially between the imaginary planes of said pair of oppostely facing platen surfaces and defining a pair of coplanar arranged planar platen secondary surfaces perpendicular to said platen primary sur faces, second rail means including structure defining a pair of substantially planar confrontingly arranged longitudinally extending planar clamp primary surfaces and including structure defining a slotted aperture extending parallel with and disposed substantially between the imaginary planes of said pair of confrontingly arranged clamp surfaces and defining a pair of co-planar arranged planar clamp secondary surfaces perpendicular to said clamp primary surfaces, pivot means pivotally securing said second rail means for pivotal movement of said second rail means to a closed or an open disposition relative to said first rail means; when in said closed disposition, said second rail means being correspondingly engaged with said first rail means with said pair of clamp primary surfaces being contiguous and correspondingly arranged respectively of said pair of platen primary surfaces iof said first rail means for reception therebetween of a portion of the fabric or thin flexible sheet material to be cut, with said pair of clamp secondary surfaces being contiguous and correspondingly arranged respectively of said pair of platen secondary surfaces for reception therebetween of a portion of the fabric or thin flexible sheet material to be cut, and with said second rail means slotted aperture being in juxtapositioned alignment with said slot of said first rail means, and when in said second disposition, said second rail means being pivoted away from said first rail means; a carriage, a sharp-edged blade fixed to and projecting from said carriage in parallel relationship to said clamp primary surfaces, land guide means movably securing said carriage on said second rail means with said blade projecting through said slotted aperture, said guide means including means for translational displacement and back and forth guidance of said carriage along said second rail means and for guidance of said blade lback and forth in said slotted aperture of said second rail means.

2. The cutter mechanism of claim 1 which additionally includes resilient pad means interposedly arranged between at least one platen surface of said pair of platen surfaces of said first rail means and the corresponding contiguous clamp surface of said second rail means when said cutter mechanism is in said closed disposition.

3. The cutter mechanism of claim 1 which additionally includes a substantially strap-like thin pad member of resilient material having oppositely facing first and second planar surfaces extending respectively normal the thickness of said pad member and adhesive means fixedly securing one surface of said oppositely facing planar surfaces of said pad member to one surface of said pair 0f clamp surfaces of said second rail means.

4. The cutter mechanism of claim 1 in which said guide means includes a pair of spaced runners disposed respectively parallel and with each being disposed on a side of said slotted aperture and fixedly secured to said second rail means, and structure included in said carriage defining a pair of parallel spaced runner portions with each being disposed respectively on a side of said -blade and a side of said carriage, said carriage being movably secured to said second rail means with each portion of said pair of runner portions Ibeing freely fitted around a respective runner of said pair of runners and with said carriage being translationally displaceable along said pair of runners.

5. A cutter mechanism for fabric or thin flexible sheet material comprising first rail means having a pair of substantially planar parallel oppositely facing longitudinally extending platen surfaces and including structure defining a slot extending parallel with and disposed substantially between the imaginary planes of said pair of oppositely facing platen surfaces, second rail means including structure defining `a pair of substantially planar confrontingly arranged longitudinally extending clamp surfaces and including structure defining a slotted aperture extending parallel with and disposed substantially between the imaginary planes of said pair of confrontingly arranged clamp surfaces, pivot means pivotally securing said second rail means for pivotal movement of said second rail means to a closed or an open disposition relative to said first rail means; when in said closed disposition, said second rail means being correspondingly engaged lwith said first rail means with said pair of clamp surfaces being contiguous and correspondingly arranged respectively of said pair of platen surfaces of said first rail means and with said second rail means slotted aperture being in juxtapositioned alignment with said slot of said first rail means, and when in said second disposition, said second rail means being pivoted away from said first rail means, a carriage, a sharp-edge blade fixed to and projecting from said carriage, and guide means movably securing said carriage on said second rail means with said blade projecting through said slotted aperture, said guide means including means for translational displacement and back and forth guidance of said carriage along said second rail means and for guidance of said blade back and forth in said slotted aperture of said second rail means, said guide means including a pair of spaced runners disposed respectively parallel and with each being disposed on a side of said slotted aperture and fixedly secured to said second rail means, and structure included in said carriage defining a pair of parallel spaced runner portions with each being disposed respectively on a side of said blade and a side of said carriage, said carriage being movably secured to said second rail means with each portion 0f said pair of runner portions being freely fitted around a respective runner of said pair of runners and with said carriage being translationally displaceable along said pair of runners, said carriage including two substantially alike and mating carriage half-parts and fastening means separably securing said carriage half-parts together.

6. A cutter mechanism for fabric or thin sheet material comprising first rail means including an elongated platen member including a parallel pair of oppositely arranged longitudinally extending primary portion defining a pair of oppositely facing longitudinally extending planar platen primary surfaces and including a parallel pair of longitudinally extending secondary portions defining a pair of co-planar arranged planar platen secondary surfaces arranged respectively along a plane normal to each planar surface of said planar platen primary surfaces, and with said secondary portions being spaced apart and defining substantially a longitudinally extending slot between said secondary portions, second rail means including a pair of elongated clamp members with each said clamp member including right angularly arranged longitudinally extending primary and secondary portions defining a pair of right angularly arranged longitudinally extending primary and secondary planar clamp surfaces, support means included in said second rail means for fixing the relative position of said pair of clamp members, said clamp members being fixedly arranged with said primary surfaces being parallel and confrontingly arranged and with said secondary surfaces being coplanar arranged and with additionally the pair of clamp members being spaced parallel and defining a slotted aperture between said secondary portions, pivot means pivotally securing said second rail means for .pivot movement of said second rail means to a closed or an open disposition relative to said first rail means; when in said closed disposition, said second rail means being correspondingly engaged with said first rail means with said primary and secondary surfaces respectively of said first and second rail means being respectively contiguously arranged for reception therebetween of the fabric or thin sheet material to be cut and with said slotted aperture of said second rail means being in juxtapositioned alignment with said slot in said rst rail means, and when in said second disposition, said second `rail means being pivoted away from said first rail means, a carriage, a

7 8 sharp-edged blade fixed to and projecting from said car- References Cited riage in parallel relationship to said clamp primary sur- UNITED STATES PATENTS faces, and guide means movably securing said carriage guidance of said carriage along said second rail means and for guidance of said blade back and forth in said slotted aperture of said second rail means. ANDREW R' JUHASZ P11/"my Examiner 

